South Sudan ramps up efforts to end child soldier recruitment

JUBA – South Sudan marked the International Day against the use of Child Soldiers, also known as Red Hand Day, with renewed calls to end the recruitment of minors into armed forces and groups.

Government officials, UN representatives, and former child soldiers underscored the devastating impact of the practice during an event held in Juba and urged greater investment in education and reintegration programs.

“The use of children in armed conflict has been a painful moment and a reality of a dark chapter in our history,” said Esther Ikere, Undersecretary in the Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare.

She emphasized the physical, psychological, and developmental harm inflicted on children conscripted into armed groups, who are robbed of their innocence, education, and fundamental rights.

Ikere affirmed the government’s commitment to ending child soldier recruitment and highlighted ongoing efforts to reintegrate released children into their families and communities.

She appealed for continued collaboration to prevent further recruitment and support demobilization and reintegration initiatives.

Anita Kiki Gbeho, Deputy Special Representative of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), urged the government to prioritize investment in education, vocational training, and sustainable livelihoods for children and youth.

She also called for widespread dissemination and effective implementation of military command orders issued in January to address violations against children.

“We are all working towards the same objective – to build a future where no child is forced to bear the burden of armed conflict,” Gbeho said.

She acknowledged the release of 63 children, 55 boys and 8 girls, from armed forces and groups last year, facilitated by the South Sudan National Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration Commission and national state technical committees.

Lt-Gen Ashab Khamis, Assistant Chief of Defense for Moral Orientation and Chaplaincy, reiterated the national army’s commitment to remaining child-soldier free.

“The government of South Sudan is committed to the protection of children,” he stated, citing the country’s commitment to comprehensive action plans aimed at preventing the six grave violations against children.

Despite these assurances, the UN estimates that 19,000 children remain in armed forces in South Sudan, a figure contested by the army.

Ex-child soldier recounts harrowing experience

Allan Kudumoch Agon, now 21, shared his harrowing experience as a child soldier, illustrating the brutal realities faced by many young recruits. Forced into armed forces at the age of eight in 2016, Agon described witnessing atrocities, enduring starvation, and carrying weapons twice his size.

“At the tender age of 8, I was forcefully taken away from our house into the bush,” Agon recounted during the Red Hand Day commemoration.

He spoke of sleepless nights filled with singing and parading, days without food, and the constant fear that permeated his existence.

“When I woke up, I had white, salty residue on my face as a result of hours of crying.”

Agon described the nights in the forest as terrifying, with swarming mosquitoes and biting cold. He recalled the deaths of fellow child soldiers and the soldiers who commanded them, leaving their bodies to be scavenged by wild animals.

“I didn’t see any possibility of ever having a normal life,” he said.

His life changed when, during a trip to Pibor, he reported himself to GREDO, an organization supporting the reintegration of former child soldiers.

“I was afraid of the torture I would receive if the other soldiers knew about my betrayal,” Agon explained. “However, one morning I woke up determined to overcome my fear.”

With GREDO’s support, Agon completed his secondary education and is now participating in an apprenticeship program.

“I have come such a long way,” he said. “I hope to use the power of education to create my own destiny and inspire others who have gone through similar ordeals.”

Agon implored the government and armed groups to end child recruitment.

“The war stole my childhood and left me orphaned and homeless,” he said. “Being a child soldier left me scars and burdens that may last forever.”

He concluded with a powerful plea: “My prayer is that no children should ever have to go through this. Let us in this room allow children to be children, be in schools and in happy homes and not in the battlefield.”